January

Sunday, 3rd Sunday, 17th. Dasika/Keller/Svoboda – Premiere Holly Moore Quartet – Debut Presenting original & improvised Hailed for his “captivating honesty” (The Music Trust), Niran Dasika is a multi As the 2020 recipient of the International Jazz Festivals program Take music in Melbourne since 1983 award-winning trumpeter and improvisor, known for his ethereal, expressive Note, Holly Moore premiered a new suite of music for sextet (3-piece horn trumpet playing and deeply evocative compositions, described as “ravishing” section and rhythm section) at ‘These Digital Times’ to much acclaim. As an (The Sydney Morning Herald) and “exquisite” (Australian Book Review). Dasika’s advocate for women in jazz, Holly also designed and delivered a series of online latest project introduces a new trio with legendary Melbourne pianist Andrea jazz workshops to Victorian high school students with the MIJF. Holly Moore Keller and emerging bass virtuoso Helen Svoboda, presenting an evening of brings together her new quartet featuring some of Melbourne’s finest young contemplative, minimalist compositions. Based in the for the last musicians. This group explores her new compositions inspired by the chaos of two years, Svoboda is the recipient of 2020 Freedman Jazz Fellowship, and the 2020, delving into themes of love, loss and displacement. Drawing on European AAO’s ‘Pathfinder’ Music Leadership program for 2020/2021. jazz and post-bop influences, their sound is lush, grand and dynamic. Holly Moore (alto saxophone) performs with Kade Brown (), Robbie Finch (double bass) and Luke Andresen (drums). January& Sunday, 10th Meatshell + Claire Cross & Harry Cook – Debuts MEATSHELL is the experimental-folk duo of Helen Svoboda (contrabass/voice) Sunday, 24th and Andrew Saragossi (tenor saxophone). With a shared curiosity for the subtle Stephen Byth Octet (Boston/Melbourne) – Premiere February beauty of things, the pair cultivates unconventional sound worlds, transcending Returning from three years studying and living abroad in Boston, USA, traditional song forms by emphasising the power of story-telling through sound. saxophonist and composer Stephen Byth brings together a group of seven 2021 Infused with elements of minimalism, contemporary jazz and , of his favourite Australian musicians to play music from his upcoming the music is intimate, raw and unapologetically honest. Originally from album, ‘Reparations.’ Ranging from sweeping orchestral soundscapes to Brisbane, the duo recently returned here from two years in the Netherlands, and explosive dynamic peaks, this album draws inspiration from influences have since settled into their new hometown of Melbourne. They released their ranging from John Coltrane to Béla Bartók to Andrea Keller. Depicting debut album 'Afar' in July 2019 through MADE NOW MUSIC, and their second musical narratives in an Australian context, ‘Reparations’ explores themes album 'Since Subito' is due for release in 2021. The second set features electric such as identity, landscape, time and place, as well as the navigation of bassist Claire Cross and pianist Harry Cook, presenting an intimate duet complex social dynamics. This performance will feature Niran Dasika performance of their original music, as well as some personal folky favourites. (trumpet), Josh Kelly (alto saxophone), Stephen Byth (tenor), James The music draws deeply on influences including Big Thief, Sufjan Stevens, Ethan Macaulay (trombone), Julien Wilson (clarinet and bass clarinet), Kade Gruska, and Skúli Sverrison. Cross was the inaugural recipient of the MIJF’s Brown (piano), Sam Anning (double bass) and Angus Mason (drums). “Take Five” program in 2019.

MEATSHELL Sunday, 31st Tony Gould’s 81st Birthday Celebration This special concert is a celebration of the 81st birthday – and ongoing career - of the highly respected pianist/composer/educator Dr. Tony Gould, who retired from his fulltime position as Professor of Music at Monash University at the end of 2015. Gould is possibly the most ‘formally’ recognised figure to work in the scene (although he refers to his music as "post-jazz"), with a Two Year Council Fellowship over 2006/2007, and a Don Banks Fellowship in 2009 (as well as an Order of Australia), plus the 2011 Australian Jazz Award “Hall of Fame”. For this occasion, he is joined by long-time colleagues Ben Robertson (double bass) and Tony Floyd (drums), together with guests, Angela Davis (alto saxophone), and Mirko Guerrini (tenor saxophone). He also wishes to “introduce” one of his favourite young classical pianists - Berta Brozgul- who will perform Chopin and other classical

Sundays 7:30PM–10:00PM at The JazzLab NIRAN DISAKA pieces in a solo cameo. 27 Leslie St. Brunswick – off Victoria St. $25 & $18 Con. Unless otherwise noted

Sunday, 21st February Christopher Hale + Luke Moller (USA) Jazz News Violinist Luke Moller (alumnus of the bands of Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, Hank Williams Jr, among many others) escaped his Nashville base just days State & Federal Funding Results For The M.J.C. Sunday, 7th before his original home of Queensland closed its borders. Having packed his The MJC was recently informed that it was unsuccessful in its application to Stephen MagnussonSolo & Guests life into a friend’s garage he returned to Australia and served his 14-day isolation. the Australia Council for its 2021 Annual Program. While the MIJF and AAO are Guitarist/composer is one of the most versatile and However, he soon after inexplicably returned to the US, just as COVID was on multi-year funding, no jazz organisation presenting regular performances distinctive musicians in Australia. After spending several years teaching in conquering the South. We still don’t know why. Naturally, good sense prevailed, (including SIMA) has been funded by the AC for 2021. Since 2017 funding, the in the 1990s (being nominated for the Swiss Fellowship award in and he made the trip again – and three cancelled flights, lost luggage and MJC has only been successful once in these four years (in 2019). Applicants 1999), he returned to Australia in 2000, and was co-winner of the 2000 National another 14 days isolation later he is based in Brisbane, healthy and slowly can re-apply for mid-year funding in early March. The MJC has yet to be Award at Wangaratta. In 2013 he received the $30,000 Melbourne recovering his Queensland accent. For this special gig, Moller joins close friend informed by Creative Victoria if our application for support for our 2021 Music Prize, while his album Magnet (on LP and CD), won the 2013 ‘Bell’ Christopher Hale for a night of reuniting, some bluegrass and country tunes, a Program has been successful. The MJC currently has an APRA/AMCOS grant Australian Jazz Award for Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year. Having bit of swinging, lots of string instruments, a few songs and maybe a friend or of $5,000 for the 2020/2021 financial year. recorded a solo album, 14 Little Creatures (ABC Jazz) back in 2007, he will bring two. Hale (bass, mandolin, guitar, lap steel), Moller (violin, octave violin, a wealth of experience in performing two Solo sets (with a guest or two). mandolin, guitar) Visit www.mag.net.au Memberships & “An artist with nothing to prove but much to say” - All About Jazz, USA Sunday, 28th Laurence PikeSolo (Sydney) + CD Launch Acknowledgements & Niran DasikaSolo Sydney percussionist/composer Laurence Pike returns to Melbourne to launch support the co-op in 2021 Prophecy – his third solo album in as many years for the UK’s Leaf Label, M.J.C. Associate Membership following Distant Early Warning (2018), and last year’s acclaimed Holy Spring. MJC Membership for 2021 is available in three tiers: Gold level is $75, while Created during the height Australia’s recent catastrophic fires, the music on Silver level is $30 ($20 concessions), and Bronze level is $10 for musicians.

STEPHEN BYTH Prophecy adopts the working formula of ‘one-take’ studio performances for drum Membership benefits include free entry for one MJC performance by a kit and sampler; channel- ing the moment through Pike’s singular, organic use of Victorian act; concession entry to all MJC performances for Gold members; electronics, and intuitively constructed arrangements. special member deals on selected events; and, semi-regular giveaways through the e-newsletter. Visit our website, email [email protected] Pike has been operating across the electronic, rock and jazz music worlds for the or write to 16 Geel Street, Bentleigh 3204, for more details better part of two decades with dozens of critically acclaimed releases to his name as part of forward-thinking groups such as PVT, Triosk and Szun Waves (with Luke Abbott and Portico Quartet’s Jack Wyllie), as well as collaborations Sign Up To Our E-News with the likes of legendary jazz pianist Mike Nock, Bill Callahan, Burnt Friedman, Keep up to date by joining our free mailing list. Emails are sent once a Sarah Blakso and D.D Dumbo. Pike also recently joined avant-rock band Liars, fortnight with the latest gigs, albums and giveaways. Sign-up online at who are currently working on a new studio album. www.mjc.org.au or email [email protected]

View https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nU312TJxSfws&feature=youtu.be and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erUTptAa730

Sunday, 14th Opening set features Niran Dasika, whose solo performances combine his Ted Vining Trio & “Blow” (Hobart/Melbourne) virtuosic trumpet playing with synthesisers and live electronics to create Now based in Hobart, drummer Ted Vining is an important elder in jazz circles for immersive, beautiful soundscapes, all with a focus on his lyrical trumpet playing. forming two long-running ensembles: the Ted Vining Trio (1970-2006) and This project has been assisted the Victorian Government through Musiikki Oy (renamed as Blow in 2000). Now an energetic 83, his achievements Creative Victoria, and an APRA/AMCOS grant of $5000 over 2020/2021 were recognised with the Hall of Fame award at the 2017 ‘Bell’ Australian Jazz Founding Artistic Patron: the late Brian Brown, OA Artistic Patrons: Mike Nock, ONZM, Awards. With the passing of bassist Barry Buckley, younger bassist Gareth Hill March & Professor Tony Gould, OA, MJC Chairperson: joined the Trio of pianist and Vining (who share a 50 year association).. This Trio has maintained a great deal of the trademark interplay, humour and swing of its predecessor on both standards and some originals. Sunday, 7th With the addition on Peter Harper (tenor saxophone) and Ian Dixon (trumpet), Bone Marreux– Premiere the trio will become part of the long-running “Blow” ensemble, which performs Recently returned from Japan, trombonist James Macaulay premieres this duo 16 Geel Street, Bentleigh 3204 Phone: +61 3 9557 2229 originals by Harper, and has produced several albums. with bassist Sam Anning. Email: [email protected] Web: www.mjc.org.au